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freedom which belongs to all persons regardless of nationality who live on British territory and of abandoning a life of shame should they desire to do so.
20. For many years past, no girl under 21 has been allowed to enter a brothel until she has declared to the Registrar General that she is doing so of her own free will—after it has been explained to her that she is a free agent and at liberty to act as she likes. We are certain that a system which has undoubtedly had a good effect in the past in protecting the liberty of women and girls will, if abolished, lead to abuses arising, and that women and girls will be made to enter brothels who might have been rescued if they had had, as under the present system, opportunity of escaping from the clutches of those who treat them as mere chattels.
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If it be argued that under the present system abuses exist, it cannot be denied that such is the case, but we submit that that is no argument for its abolition. We fear that it is impossible to eradicate all abuses in connection with brothels, but we have no hesitation in stating that these abuses have been minimised in Hongkong by the present system of registration, and that the inmates of brothels are more aware that they are free. Under the present system, too, the proper treatment of prostitutes is better secured than it would otherwise be. The inmates of brothels know that through the Registrar General, the protection of the Government is accorded to them, and that they can at any time complain to him. But if brothels can be opened and inmates put in them without ever having an opportunity of seeing...